To Tip Or Not To Tip: A Guide To Tipping Worldwide

As Asians, we find it very normal not to tip… anyone. Sadly for us (or happily for everyone else), the rest of the world doesn’t agree with that practice. In light of this, we’ve put together a handy guide on when, where, who to tip and how much to do so, for scrooges and the clueless (that includes us)!

When to tip

By rule of thumb for everyone in the service line, the most common tipping mistake is not tipping. So whether it’s 10%, 15%, or a few bucks, you should leave something for them, whether you get good service or not.

Bad service? Tip them anyway, but give them feedback. Kill them with kindness. [Wanderluxe Editor Note: I like to leave only a few coins and THEN give them feedback as to why I didn’t tip more – that makes them mad, plus I’ll probably never go back if the service wasn’t good, but hey, that’s just me]

Photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik/Visualhunt

When you can avoid tipping

In cases of restaurants or other service areas where you see service charge already factored into the bill, it’s okay not to tip. However, most customers do so as a customary practice to round up the bill. When paying by credit card, you can skip out on it, but where cash is concerned, leaving an extra buck or two won’t kill your wallet.

Who to tip

Bellhops

Wait staff

Tour guides

People behind the food counters

Delivery people

Parking attendants

Concierge (especially if they have just gone out of their way to help you)

Hotel housekeepers*

*Hotel housekeepers will sometimes have this conundrum where they leave your tips because they don’t want to be accused of stealing. To avoid this, either leave the tip amount on your pillow, or pass it to them personally when you see them around.

Photo credit: ILO in Asia and the Pacific

Who not to tip

This is generally a grey area because who doesn’t want extra money? Here are some people who actually would feel offended if you were to tip them.

Doctors

Nurses

People whose services you buy (dry cleaners, painters)

Which country is it a sin to not tip?

United States of America (they actually yell at you if you don’t tip!)

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